The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-20
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"Vi,-qI Wartcick Paine, ESQ: DEAR
SIR--I send you these flowers to you
know how / admire you for speaking SO
feelingly and beautifully of us working
girls and for denouncing so tearlesSly that
class of men who think because we are poor
and humble they can intrude themselves
upon us and insult us on all occasions. Oh,
Mr.. Paine, you don't know how we working
girls do love you for taking our part 50
manfully. Don't think ME forward for send
ing you these flowers. feel bound, sir, to
express my gratitude to you in some way.
have committed a great many plumbers;
but | know your noble nature will readily
overlook all my errors, as the writer is
"ONLY A Poor Box FACTORY GIRL.
up. ST. send you white flowers, because
believe them to be emblematic of your
character-spotless.
AS Virgil refolded the note and dropped it
into mis- vest pocket, he exclaimed:
IF this little gift had come from Queen
Victoria, instead of this modest child of
toll, would not appreciate it as highly as
do.n
The young lawyer, as he ceased speaking,
took up the bouquet and selected therefrom
the most exquisite full-blown rose. Then,
opening the Bible, which lay upon a table
near him, he scattered the fragrant white
leaves of the rose over a favorite Psalm,
murmuring as he did so:
BY these leaves shall always remember
my unknown friend"
As he closed the sacred book low rap
sounded upon the door. Old Jerry started
to answer the summons, but, before he had
fairly risen, Milton had opened the door
and was clasped in the arms of a corpulent,
benevolent-fa faced old gentleman.
Virgirs face lighted III with an express
sion of pleasure as he hurried forward to
greet his visitor, who was no other than his
pastor.
Good morning, DIR. Lansing, " exclaimed
the young lawyer, grasping the plump, soft
hand of the minister. Take a seat, doc
tor"
mo, thank you," replied Dr. Lansing,
smiling as only that gentleman can smile.
II have only few moments to stay"
With these words, the doctor called to
some one in the hall, and Immediately a
negro man came into the room, bearing on
silver salver an exquisitely- wreath
of freshly-culled laurels which filled the
room with delightful, intoxicating per-
fume.
Virgil" said the venerable man of God,
his face aglow with mingled pride and joy,
"a large number of the ladies of Richmond
ladies of every Christian denomination
touched by the tender, beautiful tribute you
paid to their sex yesterday, and grateful to
you for the fearless manner i'll which you
denounced the insulters and betrayers of
womankind, called upon me i'll my study
half an hour ago, and requested me, as your
pastor, to visit you at once and entwine
about your brow the wreath of laurels as a
token of their admiration for your spotless
and heroic character.
Virgil reverently bowed his head, and,
with equal reverence, the minister placed
thereon the crown of laurels. Ii was a
hao f,,1 ,Niot -inHaad haattif1I wa
feel unequal to the task of describing it.
Both gentlemen were deeply moved, and
as soon as the elder could command mis-
voice. he sa d:
"My son, in your efforts to win the laurels
of earthly distinction, cease never to strive
to win also the crown of eternal life, which
the Master has laid up for him that over
cometh the world. Keep ever in your mind
the divine admonition. BE thou faithful un
to death, and will give thee a crown of
life Let us pray" and bowling his venera-
BILE head, the speaker poured forth short
fervent prayer, after which he warmly
grasped the hand of each occupant of the
room, and, followed by his servant, took his
departure, TO bear the young lawyers
thanks to the ladies for their beautiful token
| Of esteem.
"Youse had a mighty rough old hill &c
| climb, and many a time your poor young
now dat Ole Marster am clearin' away de
rubbish and de thistles, and dat after al
you'll be carried to de- skies on flowery beds
of ease, stead of sailing through bloody
seas, remarked old Jerry, as Virgil placed
the wreath I'd bouquet in the marble basin
beneath the hydrant.
1t was now a few minutes of II o'clock,
and, as his presence was required at court
at that hour, Virgil put on his hat and re-
axrfr7 thaa fftna
to the care of his faithful old servant in his
absence.
Milton accompanied his brother as far as
Capitol and Tenth streets. and there, meet
ing one of his schoolmates, directed his
steps toward the new fair grounds, where at
noon a match game of base hall between
two professional clubs was to co nmence
The next day was Sunday-a balmy,
cloudless May day. At 9 o'clock Milton,
looking irresstitly attractive in white su t
of clothes, blue neckte and red stockings,
hurried off to Sabbath school.
Two hours later Virgil started forth to
church Despite the congratulations and
compliments he had ceived fr m almost
every quarter, the young lawyer was not al
together happy this beautiful May Sabbath
as he wended his way to the house of God.
He was thinking of Pauline. Her GOODNESS
toward him of late troub ed him exceeding
": the cause OF her strange conduct he dld
not know; his nature was too lofty to cher
ish the detestable vice If conceit; therefore
he had never for moment dreamed of her
loving him. Indeed he feared she was
growing to dislike him, but for what he
could not surmise: ana his silly, childish
conduct of Friday afterooon he felt would
only serve to deepen that dislike. He had
not seen her since then; but ne would proba-
bly, meet her at church this morning, and
if she were willing, he would ''make
friends" and "let it all be as it was be-
fore"
AS he came to this conclusion feeling Of
peace pervaded his soul, and, quickenin9
his pace, he soon reached Broad street. As
he was moving along that thoroughfare he
heard sw ct, feminine voice behind him
say:
''Barton, do believe that gentleman is
Virgil Paine"
Withou thinking, Virgil TURNED instantly
around but failed TO recognize the couple
behind him.
The gentleman was tall, 'aristocratic-
looking parsonage Of not more than 40.
His companion was lady perhaps ten
years younger, strikingly beautiful, and ele-
gantly dressed
As Virgil turned toward them the lady's
rich olive face flushed d eply with EN- ar
rassment. The yrung lawyer, too, was con
fused.
Pardon my ru1eness, madam" he said,
courteously bowling to the lady, 81 thought
n